Why You Should Add Borates To Your Pool - Right Away

Borates, including Borax, are naturally-occurring forms of the element Boron and I’m already veering dangerously close to “boring.” Long talked about, Borates might be the single best water chemistry fix that we’ve failed to do for our pools all these years. Until now, that is. So let’s explore all the good, and even any bad, that Borates offer your pool.

Buffering Ability

Just as Total Alkalinity can act as a buffer impeding drops in pH, a Borate level of 30-50 ppm acts as a buffer, restraining increases in pH. A buffer that slows the increase in pH is especially attractive for all of us with pools which find the pH steadily, inexorably climbing to the high side of the pH range (7.8 and higher). So if you fight high pH, having Borates in the water is the solution you’ve been waiting for!

Since pH, is arguably, the most pivotal factor in pool water chemistry, anything that helps keep the pH on target is golden.

Algaestatic Effect

While an Algaecide kills Algae, an Algaestat inhibits or prevents Algae. Borates function in pool water as an Algaestat, disrupting and slowing the growth of Algae. This is a very positive bonus benefit that is provided by Borates.

Reduces Chlorine Demand

With the one-two punch of keeping the pH closer to optimum and slowing algal growth, Borates in your pool can reduce the pool’s chlorine demand.

Reduced chlorine demand can mean significant overall savings in sanitation chemicals and extended lifespan for a salt chlorinator.

Improves Look & “Feel” of Pool Water

That same intangible change in how a saltwater pool feels relative to freshwater, is magnified with the addition of Borates to the water. Not only are the Borates resisting increases in the water’s pH, but the Borates “bind” with Calcium and Magnesium in the pool further softening the water. Additionally, one of the most frequent comments that pool owners make after adding Borates is that the water looks more like “crystal”, or that the water “sparkles”, indicating an increase in visual appeal and clarity.

Trade Offs

Cost is officially a trade off because you will have to buy the Borates in the first place. However, Borates persist in the water and so if you start at 50 ppm, the Borate level will remain sufficient (>30 ppm) until over 40% of the water has been exchanged. Put simply, your ongoing Borate cost is quite low; at the same time, the benefits provided by Borates can offset that cost.

Implementation

Generally, borates are available in the form of either Boric Acid or Borax with each differing in cost and pH impact. Fortunately, Oxygen Water Products’ Balanced Borate Blend, is a mixture of both types that is blended to be pH neutral providing the best of both worlds. Simply add the Borates to the pool following the manufacturer’s directions in order to bring your borate level to within the 30-50 ppm range. It is worth knowing that levels below 30 ppm will be ineffective and while levels over 50 ppm provide no additional benefit, they also have no ill effect either. Consequently, you can feel secure in dosing your pool initially to the maximum recommended level.

There you have it. You may have previously been thinking that you’ve been doing all that you can for your pool’s water chemistry - but if you’ve been struggling with high pH, you’ve been missing out on a critical tool to keep things balanced! The simple addition of Borates can provide long-lasting, meaningful results for your pool. With a minor investment of time and money, you will have improved water quality from a pool that resists increases in pH and experiences reduced chlorine demand. In addition to that, your pool will be more resistant to algae blooms, and the water will look better & feel even softer and silkier than before.

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